The best iPads to buy for convenient computing, entertainment and productivity

We all remember the jokes surrounding the launch of Apple’s tablets ten years ago. We’re certain you’ve heard that “iPads are nothing more than big, glorified iPhones,” at least according to the detractors. Well, we’re here to tell you that these devices have not only come a long way since 2010, but they’re also now stuffed full of so much computing power that they’re more than capable of replacing your laptop.

If you need a bigger screen than your phone but don’t need a full-on laptop or desktop monitor, that’s where an iPad fits within your kit. They’re lighter and as capable as most computers, can connect to external mice and keyboards and work better for multitasking, note-taking and drawing when compared to a phone. And, let’s face it, that larger display means they’re better for ​​browsing websites or watching movies, TV shows, or recipe videos.

We get hands-on with the latest iPad models, signing into them and using them just like you would. We download apps and customise the operating system to make it our own, and we then read news articles, stream videos on Netflix and Disney+, listen to music streaming services, make FaceTime calls, and scroll through posts on social media apps.

We check the battery life, the detail and brightness of the screen and the quality of the built-in speakers too. We’ve tested out the latest iPad Pro, iPad Air and iPad Mini, and this roundup is a mix of our hands-on tests and rigorous research.

In the most radical shake-up of a more affordable iPad in years, this Apple slate comes in four vibrant colours – blue, pink, yellow, and silver – and ditches the physical home button and Lightning connector found in the entry-level model in favour of the same “all-screen” design and USB-C port of the more expensive iPad Air. It’s for anyone who wants an iPad with a more playful design and better specs than the basic model, but without the need for the powerful M1 or M2 chips in the Air or Pros.

That’s not to say the 10th gen iPad lacks punch: it houses an A14 chip (the same as the iPhone 12 smartphones) that’s more than enough for internet browsing, watching streaming shows and light gaming, while the camera is 12MP instead of 8MP, and it’s also available with 5G.

You do have to pay around £130 more for this model than the entry-level iPad; however, if you want an Apple tablet that’s slightly more future-proofed we reckon it's worth the money. While it’s a bit of a shame that this model still only works with the 1st generation Apple Pencil (the Air works with the more recent 2nd generation) we love that unlike the basic model, it’s fully compatible with the Magic Keyboard Folio.

That pop-on case features a trackpad so it more effectively works like a full-blown travel laptop – ideal if you’re working on-the-go. You don’t get the super-powerful specs of the iPad Pros, but this is an ideal middle-ground between the most affordable model and the mid-range iPad Air. Read more in our iPad (10th generation) review.

One of the best things about the 2024 update to the iPad lineup is that there’s now a 13-inch variant of the mid-range iPad Pro. Before this, anyone wanting a bigger screen iPad would have to upgrade all the way to the highest-end iPad Pro with its massive display, but it’s now possible to get all the benefits at a lower cost.

What are those perks? Well, with the 13-inch screen, we find it’s much easier to read more text at once, multitask, and see more on FaceTime calls. Your videos will, of course, be much bigger and that makes this an excellent option if you’ll be using the iPad to watch shows and movies on streaming services.

The terrific M2 chip powering this iPad means it has more computing power than most of us will ever require, and it’s exceptionally fast and capable with everything we use it for. If you compare it directly to the Pro, you may notice the lack of facial recognition authentication and that the Pro has outstanding OLED display tech, but we don’t think these are quite as noticeable in everyday use, and you’ll appreciate the much more sensible price.

Like the 11-inch iPad Air in 2024, it also supports the latest Apple Pencil Pro and continues to support the super handy Magic Keyboard that we use all the time when we want to get some proper work done on the tablet. It will still last for 10 hours on its battery and isn’t too much heavier to hold than the 13-inch iPad Pro (2024), increasing from 579g to 618g.

The 2024 refresh of the iPad Mini brings a handful of upgrades to the ultra-portable model. Now equipped with Apple’s A17 Pro chip, it has enhanced performance to bring it closer to Apple’s higher-end devices.

This both enables it to run pro apps more smoothly and makes sure it's ready for upcoming Apple Intelligence (AI) features. Overall, this model is ideal for users looking for an iPad that’s compact enough for travel but powerful enough for some productivity tasks, gaming, photo editing and light multitasking.

One of the most noticeable improvements is the bump in storage, with the base model starting at 128GB – double what the previous generation offered. It shares its 8.3-inch, edge-to-edge screen design with the 2021 model, but now supports the latest Apple Pencil Pro, a stylus with advanced features like “squeeze” gestures and better orientation sensing. It’s ideal for note-taking.

Starting at £499, the iPad Mini is the top small tablet we recommend. It's a bit less of a productivity device but ideal for on-the-go entertainment. It's perfect for readers, commuters, and anyone looking for a high-quality device that’s larger than a smartphone but far lighter and smaller than a standard tablet. Read more of our thoughts in our iPad Mini (2024) review.

For those already using the 2021 model, the upgrades are incremental and moving to the newest model won't be necessary.

We don’t think most users need the sheer power from the iPad Pro models, especially with the most recent updates to the Air, but if you’re looking for something that can deal with the most intensive computing jobs, you’ll want to consider the Pro tablet, which was updated in 2024 to add the speedy and efficient Apple M4 chip. It’s also now far thinner and more sleek than ever before, with updated display technology, which you can read about in our iPad Pro (2024) review.

Perhaps you’re after an iPad that can manage more intensive video and photo editing. Or design and animation? If you know you’ll be pushing the tablet to its limits (or you’re buying this as a gift for someone who will), you may want to pick this over the iPad Air because it can be upgraded with far more storage space – up to a vast 2TB.

This 11-inch model has a smoother and brighter display with a slightly higher resolution than the mid-range Air – now boasting vibrant and clear OLED screens for better contrast and clarity – which makes the interface feel more fluid and refined. It’s a proper rival to a laptop that supports even better accessories than the Air, including the latest Apple Pencil Pro and an updated Magic Keyboard with a function row, aluminium construction and improved trackpad.

When it comes to the other improvements, this one has a better speaker system, a Lidar laser system and flash, and facial recognition to unlock the device rather than a fingerprint sensor.

This massive 13-inch iPad Pro is overkill for all but the most demanding users, but it is the closest Apple has to a full laptop replacement. Picking this is a bit like going for a MacBook with a touchscreen, although it’s worth adding that iPadOS isn’t quite on the same level as the Mac operating system when it comes to managing your files and using multiple windows at once.

It’s a bigger variant of the 11-inch Pro, so if you like the sound of a smoother and brighter display, this is a top option. It’s also now thinner than the 11-inch variant and weighs 579g, making it a device you could realistically slip into your bag without noticing it. Of course, most users will also want to add the new Magic Keyboard, which doubles the thickness and adds to the weight.

Editors, designers and animators will appreciate this high-end iPad the most, as the high refresh rate on the stunning OLED display makes everything look seamless, and it’s now powered by the efficient and fast M4 chip. This powerhouse works with Apple’s best iPad accessories, including its premium keyboards and the newer version of the stylus, the Apple Pencil Pro.

For most of us, the computing power of this device (or the 11-inch Pro model) will be unnecessary, but if you’re looking for a high-performance tablet with a whopping display that can speed through any task you throw at it, this is the one to pick.

The list of things an iPad struggles to do gets shorter and shorter with each new version. But, there are still a few limitations when compared to laptops or desktops.

You can’t run the macOS desktop operating system or Windows, for example, so they aren’t quite as capable if you need to use several windows simultaneously and organise a lot of different files.

All current iPads support multitasking where you can use more than one app on the screen at the same time, but this isn’t as intuitive as laptop and desktop interfaces.

However, if you don’t think you’ll worry about that, we can’t think of many reasons why you couldn’t use your iPad as your computer. The newest ones have more than enough power, there are loads of available apps for every task imaginable, and they’re ideal for web browsing, watching videos and flipping through your photo library. Once you’ve added some accessories like keyboards and mice into your setup, an iPad can be every bit as good as a laptop.

Getting started with drawing on a new iPad may feel a bit intimidating, but the reality is that the device is remarkably intuitive if you want to create some drawings or designs. First things first, you’ll need a stylus.

There are third-party alternatives but the benefits of the Apple Pencil outweigh any drawbacks.

We recommend picking up either the Apple Pencil or Apple Pencil 2nd gen (depending on your iPad) for anyone getting into drawing on an Apple tablet.

Once it’s paired, you’ll find the iPad has clever “palm rejection” tech so you can rest your hand on the screen without it interfering with your drawing, and that the pencil itself understands the angle you’re holding it at and the level of pressure you’re applying.

There’s some wizardry going on behind the scenes that makes using an Apple Pencil much more like the real thing.

When it comes to apps, there are a couple included on your device where you can get scribbling already, including Apple’s Notes app for handwritten memos and sketches, or the built-in Freeform app which is designed as an infinite whiteboard to brainstorm and plan projects with others.

For an app fully focused on design and drawing, though, we’d recommend the powerful and professional-standard Procreate app.

You’ve probably heard that name before, and that’s because it enables you to do everything from quick drawings to complex digital art, animations and more.

We’re no drawing experts but we picked up the easy-to-use interface in mere minutes and found it easy to pick from the extensive brush library and colour options.

The best part? In a world of subscriptions, Procreate is an outlier. You’re not tied to a monthly fee, it’s just a one-time purchase of £12.99 in the App Store and that’s it.

It’s true that there’s an overlap between what you can do on your iPhone and your iPad, as they’ll run some of the same apps and both have a similar interface.

We think there are certain tasks that are just that bit better on each device, though. For example, sending text messages is more comfortable and familiar on your phone, while viewing your photos in full resolution or rewatching episodes of The Crown will be an improved experience on the iPad’s larger screen.

If you’re not sure if you need an iPad but still want a bigger screen, one compromise might be the most sizeable iPhone you can pick – that’s either the iPhone 15 Pro Max or iPhone 15 Plus, which both have a 6.7-inch (that’s nearly as big as the iPad mini).

These are the main considerations to keep in mind when picking between the different iPad models:

Are you after a dinky little iPad to carry in your bag or a larger laptop-sized one? They go from just under 300g up to nearly 700g in weight, and the smallest has an 8.3-inch screen, compared to the huge 13-inch display of the biggest iPad Air and Pro.

Speaking of the screens, there are a few differences to note here too. Every model in the range has a sharp and clear display, but some models can reach higher brightness levels.

For the very best image quality, look to the iPad Pro models which have a high refresh rate and will make gaming, animations and videos smoother.

Every iPad will last throughout the day with a minimum of ten hours of battery life. All iPads are rated to last about this long, and in our experience, they live up to this claim.

The more photos, movies and music files you want to keep, the more space you’ll need on your iPad. Every base model starts at either 64GB or 128GB depending on the iPad, which should be enough for most users, given that a feature-length HD film is 5GB in size.

You can also add extra iCloud storage to back up your photos and files in the cloud – any iPad comes with the basic 5GB of iCloud space and it’s only 79p a month to upgrade to 50GB or £2.49 a month for 200GB.

If you need more space on the device, sizes go up to 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and as much as 2TB on the Pro models. We doubt most people need the maximum storage unless they’re handling loads of high-resolution photos or 4K videos.

Every iPad has front and rear cameras that you’ll use for video calls and maybe the occasional photo.

For the best FaceTime experience, we recommend looking for ones with an ultra-wide front-facing lens with Apple’s “Centre Stage” feature – it’s clever enough to keep you centred in the frame during your call and will follow you when you stand up and move around.

Apple makes the chips in its phones, tablets and laptops, and there aren’t too many differences between them.

The chips are all optimised to keep the tablet lasting longer and its apps running quickly, and you’ll see specs like A13 or A15 Bionic, which are excellent processors also seen in the iPhone range.

Where things get a bit more impressive is with the newest iPad Air and Pro models feature Apple's M-series chips. That means they have the same brainpower (or, sometimes, more power) than what’s found in Apple’s desktop iMacs and premium laptops.

Any iPad you pick will be able to connect to a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse to give you a more familiar laptop experience. All except the Mini can connect to Apple’s Smart Keyboard, while the Air and Pro connect to different versions of the more premium Magic Keyboard.

If you want to use a stylus for drawing or note-taking, there’s a version of the Apple Pencil that’ll work, but it depends on which iPad you go for.

The entry-level iPad (10th generation) supports the original Apple Pencil (1st generation) or Apple Pencil (USB-C), while the the iPad mini supports either the Apple Pencil (USB-C) or Apple Pencil (2nd generation).

With the two newest iPads, the iPad Air and iPad Pro, they both support the Apple Pencil (USB-C) and the new Apple Pencil Pro.